Influenza briefing
15/12/09 09:19 Filed in: News
This briefing has been prepared to provide up to date national and local information on influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu,
for staff of NHS Grampian and partner organisations. Given the potential for advice and guidance to change or be
updated, each Influenza Brief will be valid for one week only. An updated brief will be issued every week.
This week the national situation shows a rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses – not necessarily H1N1 – across Scotland
of 119.9 per 100,000. This is the same as last week’s figure of 119.4 per 100,000. It is estimated that around 21000 people in
Scotland have contracted H1N1 in the past week. In Grampian the rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses – not necessarily
H1N1 – is 99 per 100,000, which is a slight increase from last week’s figure of 92. The number of patients with confirmed H1N1 in
hospitals in Grampian is currently 7(on 27 November). Tragically 47 people across Scotland have now died after contracting
H1N1. Although mild for most people, H1N1 can cause complications and can kill. This is why sensible precautions, including
vaccination, are important.
This year, it is more important than ever to prepare for winter, particularly as we approach the festive period. GP surgeries will be
closed for four days over Christmas (December 25 to 28) and for four days over New Year (January 1 to 4). However, many GPs
will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland.
People across Grampian are being encouraged to ask pharmacists for help in treating common winter ailments such as colds,
coughs and flu; to only make an appointment with their GP if they have an illness or injury that just won’t go away and to only use
out of hours services when they can’t wait to see their own GP. People are being advised to check pharmacy opening times and
make sure they have the necessary medication to see them through the festive period in particular.
The five simple steps to preparing for winter and treating common illnesses at home include:
NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr George Crooks, said: “We always encourage people to help themselves fend off the usual winter
illnesses by being well prepared at this time of year. By adding a few extra items to your shopping list, by making sure your
medicine cabinet is well stocked and by knowing when your GP surgery will be closed, you can ensure you and your family are
well prepared for winter.
“This year, as we are all aware, we also have H1N1 circulating within communities. It is therefore even more important to follow
the Be Ready for Winter advice, as well as maintaining hygiene standards, such as washing your hands regularly and using and
disposing of tissues appropriately.”
If you think you might have influenza A (H1N1) please stay at home
You can still receive your H1N1 vaccination. If you have not yet been vaccinated book your appointment for flu
vaccination now – there is still time.
To book an appointment go to www.nhsgrampian.org/fluvax
Alternatively, if you have no easy access to a computer, ring the Immunisation Hotline on 01224 553297. The Hotline is open
between the hours of 9-10am; 12-2pm and 3-4pm from Monday to Friday.
Once your booking information has been received, OHS will contact you to offer an appointment.
Remember - vaccination protects you and protects others - your family, your work colleagues and the people you care
for. Health and social care staff are at increased risk of infection and transmission.
Latest advice and guidance is available in the Health Advisory Group (HAG) template on the intranet. If you have questions
contact your line manager in the first instance
For advice on printed material please contact Corporate Communications on 01224 554400 or grampian@nhs.net Flu leaflets
and posters are available free of charge to any part of NHS Grampian and to partner and external organisations
Thank you for reading this Influenza Brief. If there are items you would like to include or questions you want to raise
contact Corporate Communications on grampian@nhs.net
for staff of NHS Grampian and partner organisations. Given the potential for advice and guidance to change or be
updated, each Influenza Brief will be valid for one week only. An updated brief will be issued every week.
Scotland/Grampian situation
This week the national situation shows a rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses – not necessarily H1N1 – across Scotland
of 119.9 per 100,000. This is the same as last week’s figure of 119.4 per 100,000. It is estimated that around 21000 people in
Scotland have contracted H1N1 in the past week. In Grampian the rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses – not necessarily
H1N1 – is 99 per 100,000, which is a slight increase from last week’s figure of 92. The number of patients with confirmed H1N1 in
hospitals in Grampian is currently 7(on 27 November). Tragically 47 people across Scotland have now died after contracting
H1N1. Although mild for most people, H1N1 can cause complications and can kill. This is why sensible precautions, including
vaccination, are important.
Be Ready for Winter
This year, it is more important than ever to prepare for winter, particularly as we approach the festive period. GP surgeries will be
closed for four days over Christmas (December 25 to 28) and for four days over New Year (January 1 to 4). However, many GPs
will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland.
People across Grampian are being encouraged to ask pharmacists for help in treating common winter ailments such as colds,
coughs and flu; to only make an appointment with their GP if they have an illness or injury that just won’t go away and to only use
out of hours services when they can’t wait to see their own GP. People are being advised to check pharmacy opening times and
make sure they have the necessary medication to see them through the festive period in particular.
The five simple steps to preparing for winter and treating common illnesses at home include:
- ensuring medicine cabinets are restocked to deal with minor ailments – coughs, colds, indigestion, aches and pains
- understanding the services and advice local pharmacists can provide if people are unwell
- making sure repeat medicines are ordered to avoid running out during weekends or holidays
- finding out the opening times of local GPs and pharmacies, particularly over the festive season
NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr George Crooks, said: “We always encourage people to help themselves fend off the usual winter
illnesses by being well prepared at this time of year. By adding a few extra items to your shopping list, by making sure your
medicine cabinet is well stocked and by knowing when your GP surgery will be closed, you can ensure you and your family are
well prepared for winter.
“This year, as we are all aware, we also have H1N1 circulating within communities. It is therefore even more important to follow
the Be Ready for Winter advice, as well as maintaining hygiene standards, such as washing your hands regularly and using and
disposing of tissues appropriately.”
If you think you might have influenza A (H1N1) please stay at home
Staff vaccination – not got round to it yet?
You can still receive your H1N1 vaccination. If you have not yet been vaccinated book your appointment for flu
vaccination now – there is still time.
To book an appointment go to www.nhsgrampian.org/fluvax
Alternatively, if you have no easy access to a computer, ring the Immunisation Hotline on 01224 553297. The Hotline is open
between the hours of 9-10am; 12-2pm and 3-4pm from Monday to Friday.
Once your booking information has been received, OHS will contact you to offer an appointment.
Remember - vaccination protects you and protects others - your family, your work colleagues and the people you care
for. Health and social care staff are at increased risk of infection and transmission.
Information and advice
Latest advice and guidance is available in the Health Advisory Group (HAG) template on the intranet. If you have questions
contact your line manager in the first instance
For advice on printed material please contact Corporate Communications on 01224 554400 or grampian@nhs.net Flu leaflets
and posters are available free of charge to any part of NHS Grampian and to partner and external organisations
Thank you for reading this Influenza Brief. If there are items you would like to include or questions you want to raise
contact Corporate Communications on grampian@nhs.net